PLANS to build 73 homes next to a Romsey nature reserve have been rejected by committee members.

Councillors on the planning committee rejected the application for a site next to Fishlake Meadows nature reserve due to the detrimental impact it could have on the area.

The meeting, held on Tuesday night, saw councillors discuss the impact it could have on the site, which is run by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

The plans, submitted by applicants Stratland Estates, will now be considered by the council's planning control committee ahead of a possible appeal.

The Trust had strongly objected to the proposals, saying the plans for the 73 dwellings and access, went 'nowhere near enough' to protect the site.

The plans, for land west of Cupernham Lane, had been deferred from a meeting in January.

Tadburn councillor, Mark Cooper said: "I supported deferral because I was worried by the impact of both people and cat predation on the nature reserve.

"While many of the ecology issues seem to be resolved by the applicant, I'm also very concerned at the cumulative impact on the landscape to the west of Cupernham Lane.

"Not long ago the area was protected by the Valley of the River Test heritage Area, but Test Valley Borough Council dumped this important designation and now the gentle valley slopes of the River Test are being gobbled up by yet more housing development."

The wildlife trust said future housing developments needed to 'give back more than they take', and said they welcomed the refusal.

The head of planning, Paul Jackson, said the matter would need to go to Test Valley's planning control committee for the final decision, as an appeal on the site might lead to an award of costs against the council.

A spokesperson for the wildlife trust said: "We welcome councillors turning down this application to increase the number of houses on this plot.

"At the trust, we're calling for all developments to give back more than they take, and we were concerned that these proposals didn't do enough to offset the potential impact on Fishlake Meadows nature reserve or protect local wildlife in the surrounding area.

"As is being increasingly recognised, the principle of net environmental gain should be embedded in all new development proposals."

A statement from Stratland Estates' agent said: "Having resolved members’ only concern, the applicant is extremely disappointed that committee disregarded the advice of their officers and expert advisors and voted to refuse the application on new grounds.

"Though the application wasn’t determined last it was referred to the Council’s Planning Control Committee and we look forward to the members of that committee reconsidering the proposed decision."